[Foley balloon placement for maxillofacial fractures].

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of maxillary sinus Foley balloon placement in patients with maxillofacial fractures.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This study included 38 patients (10 females, 28 males; mean age 29.1+/-11.6; range 9 to 49 years) in whom Foley balloon placement and gauze packing were performed for blow-out, orbitozygomatic, or maxillary fractures. Sex and age distributions, etiology of trauma, localization of fractures, management, intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients had blow-out fractures, 15 patients had orbitozygomatic fractures, and five patients had Le Fort II-III fractures of the maxilla. Preoperatively, enophthalmos, diplopia, limited ocular motility, and facial asymmetry were found in 28.9%, 26.3%,18.4% and 65.8%, respectively. Sufficient maxillary sinus patency was obtained in 32 patients (84.2%). Enophthalmos, diplopia, limited ocular motility, and facial asymmetry were found in 13.2%, 7.9%, 5.3%, and 18.4% in the postoperative period, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Maxillary Foley balloon placement should be preferred in the blow-out, orbitozygomatic, and maxillary fractures because it supports the orbital floor and provides sufficient maxillary sinus patency.